By Christian Njoku | Calabar | Dec. 18, 2025
In a decisive move to address growing public concern, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has issued a formal and unequivocal warning to its personnel against the harassment of female motorists during routine traffic operations. This directive, delivered by the Zonal Commanding Officer, underscores a critical effort to rebuild public trust and reinforce the corps’ core mandate of safety and service.
Mr. Henry Benamasia, the Zonal Commanding Officer for RS 6 Port Harcourt, delivered the mandate during his fourth-quarter operational visit to the Cross River Sector Command in Calabar. His statement was a direct response to recent, troubling reports of alleged misconduct by officers towards women drivers and passengers—a pattern he condemned as antithetical to the values of a trained safety organization.
“Such actions are not merely unprofessional; they actively damage the fragile bridge of public trust and undermine our fundamental mandate of saving lives,” Benamasia stated. He elaborated on the delicate balance required in enforcement: “While we must strictly uphold traffic laws, we must do so with humanity. Our uniform and authority can be intimidating; therefore, they must be exercised with disciplined restraint and unwavering courtesy.”
This warning highlights a pervasive challenge in law enforcement globally: the abuse of positional power. For female motorists, harassment can range from verbal intimidation and inappropriate questioning to solicitation of bribes under threat of penalty, creating an environment of fear rather than safety. Benamasia’s directive implicitly acknowledges that such behavior transforms the FRSC from a protective agency into a source of anxiety, particularly for women traveling alone.
Beyond addressing conduct, the commanding officer framed road safety within a broader, urgent context. Citing global statistics of over one million annual fatalities, he declared road safety a “public health concern.” To combat this, he stressed the need for “improved capacity building on road safety data management,” pointing to a strategic shift towards evidence-based planning and data-driven interventions. This approach is essential for identifying high-risk corridors, understanding accident causes, and deploying resources effectively.
Further solidifying the call for integrity, Benamasia urged personnel to shun corruption, drug abuse, and all forms of unprofessional conduct. This holistic focus on ethics suggests internal recognition that harassment often coexists with other corrupt practices, and a systemic cleanup is required for effective service delivery.
On the ground in Cross River, Sector Commander Mr. Innocent Etuk detailed operational strides and hurdles. He reported intensified patrols, advocacy campaigns, and stakeholder engagements, particularly during the high-risk “Ember” months. Strategic partnerships and targeted deployment to flashpoints have been key tactics.
However, Etuk candidly revealed significant constraints hampering these efforts, including aging patrol vehicles, equipment shortages, and operational incidents. These logistical challenges are critical to understanding the environment in which personnel operate; lack of resources can frustrate officers and potentially contribute to unethical practices as a means of coping with systemic inadequacies.
Despite these hurdles, Etuk reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safety through the triad of advocacy, enforcement, and strategic deployment, especially for the upcoming yuletide season when traffic volumes peak.
The visit concluded with appreciation from Mr. John Omori, Zonal Coordinator for FRSC Special Marshals, who thanked national and zonal leadership for their support. This event, therefore, serves as both a public accountability measure and an internal rallying cry. It signals to the citizenry, especially women, that their safety and dignity are paramount, and warns personnel that overreach will not be tolerated. The true test, however, will be in the consistent application of this directive and the tangible change experienced by motorists on Nigerian roads.
Edited by Ehigimetor Igbaugba and Azubuike Okeh
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